The Seven Enduring Reasons Why Tom Sandoval Is Still The Most Hated Man In Reality TV (Updated 2025)

As of December 12, 2025, the name Tom Sandoval remains synonymous with one of the biggest reality television scandals of all time: "Scandoval." While nearly two years have passed since the bombshell news of his seven-month-long affair with co-star Raquel Leviss (formerly Rachel Leviss) broke, the public vitriol has not subsided. The intense, enduring hatred stems not just from the act of cheating itself, but from the perceived lack of remorse, the calculated deception, and a long history of self-centered behavior that played out over a decade on *Vanderpump Rules*.

Tom Sandoval, a founding cast member of the Bravo hit series, went from being a beloved, albeit occasionally dramatic, bartender and aspiring musician to arguably the "Most Hated Man in America" overnight. His attempts to pivot from the controversy—appearing on shows like *The Traitors US* and even auditioning for *America's Got Talent*—have done little to change the narrative. The public continues to view him through the lens of his betrayal of his long-term partner, Ariana Madix, making his journey to redemption a near-impossible reality TV arc.

Tom Sandoval: A Comprehensive Biography and Profile

Thomas Anthony Sandoval is an American television personality, restaurateur, actor, and musician who gained prominence as an original cast member on the reality series *Vanderpump Rules*. His life and career have been defined by his ambition in the entertainment industry and, more recently, his disastrous personal choices.

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• Full Name: Thomas Anthony Sandoval
• Date of Birth: July 7, 1983
• Place of Birth: St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
• Primary Occupation: Reality Television Personality, Restaurateur, Musician
• Reality TV Career: Original main cast member of *Vanderpump Rules* (2013–present). Also appeared on *The Traitors US* (Season 3) and auditioned for *America's Got Talent*.
• Former Long-Term Partner: Ariana Madix (2014–2023)
• Businesses: Co-owner of two Los Angeles-based bars with Tom Schwartz: TomTom (with Lisa Vanderpump) and Schwartz & Sandy's.
• Music Career: Lead singer of the cover band Tom Sandoval And The Most Extras. Previously in a band called Charles McMansion.
• Acting/Modeling: Worked as a model and actor in small-scale productions before joining *Vanderpump Rules*.

The Seven Enduring Reasons Why Tom Sandoval is Still Hated in 2025

The public's animosity towards Tom Sandoval is a complex web of moral outrage, reality TV fatigue, and a visceral reaction to his handling of the crisis. The reasons for his continued status as a villain are layered and extend far beyond a simple cheating scandal.

1. The Unforgivable Betrayal of Ariana Madix

The core of the "Scandoval" hate is the sheer level of cruelty in the betrayal. Tom Sandoval cheated on his partner of nine years, Ariana Madix, with her close friend and co-star, Raquel Leviss. The affair was not a one-time mistake; it was a calculated, months-long deception that began while Ariana was grieving the loss of her grandmother and her dog. The fact that the affair involved a mutual friend and played out behind the scenes of a show about their lives made the emotional damage feel exponentially greater to the audience. This was seen as a profound violation of trust and loyalty, not just a relationship breakup.

2. The Layer of Deceit and Calculated Lies (The Cover-Up)

What truly infuriated viewers was the depth of the cover-up. For months, Tom and Raquel Leviss lied to everyone, including their closest friends. Tom Schwartz, his business partner, was dragged into the deception, either as a confidant or a shield. The lie only came to light when Ariana Madix discovered a sexually explicit video of Raquel on Tom Sandoval's phone. This revelation painted Sandoval as a master manipulator who was willing to let his friends and business partners lie for him while he continued to live a double life. The cover-up was seen as more damning than the affair itself.

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3. The Perception of Narcissism and Lack of Accountability

In the immediate aftermath and subsequent reality TV seasons, Tom Sandoval's response was widely criticized as self-pitying and narcissistic. Instead of offering a genuine, unconditional apology to Ariana, he often deflected, minimized his actions, and focused on his own suffering, famously asking, "What about my needs?" His interviews and public statements consistently framed him as the victim of a public witch hunt, rather than the perpetrator of a massive betrayal. This consistent lack of true accountability convinced the public that his actions stemmed from a deep-seated self-absorption, cementing his villain status.

4. A History of Selfish Behavior on Vanderpump Rules

The "Scandoval" was not an isolated incident; it was the culmination of a decade of questionable behavior on *Vanderpump Rules*. Longtime viewers recalled his past cheating on Kristen Doute, his constant need for attention, and his tendency to belittle his partners and friends when they didn't support his ambitious ventures. Entities like Jax Taylor and James Kennedy had often called out his hypocrisy over the years. This history of self-serving actions made the final betrayal feel inevitable and proved to the audience that his character flaws were deeply ingrained, not temporary.

5. The Impact on His Business Ventures: TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy's

The public backlash directly affected his professional life, a key component of his reality TV persona. His co-owned bars, TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy's, faced massive boycotts and negative press. The businesses, which were a source of pride and a major storyline on the show, became collateral damage in the affair. The public saw this as a just consequence, further fueling the hate. The fact that his actions negatively impacted his business partner, Tom Schwartz, and dozens of employees added another layer to the public's judgment, demonstrating a disregard for the livelihoods of others.

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6. The Cringeworthy Attempts at a 'Rockstar' Rebrand

Tom Sandoval’s commitment to his cover band, Tom Sandoval And The Most Extras, became a focal point for ridicule. His attempts to use the band as a vehicle for his "rockstar" image—even in the middle of the scandal—were perceived as a desperate and tone-deaf effort to distract from his personal failures. His audition on *America's Got Talent* in the 2024/2025 season, where he was introduced as the "most hated man in America," was met with a mix of curiosity and cynicism, with many seeing it as a blatant attempt to monetize his infamy rather than genuinely apologize or step away from the spotlight.

7. The Villain Arc Continues on New Reality Shows

Rather than retreating, Tom Sandoval chose to lean into the reality TV ecosystem, appearing on shows like *The Traitors US* (Season 3). While some cast members on these shows are able to pivot from villainy, Sandoval's appearance only reinforced his public image. His behavior—characterized by a continued sense of entitlement, strategic maneuvering, and emotional outbursts—was interpreted by viewers as further evidence of his manipulative personality. His inability to escape the "Scandoval" narrative, even in a new setting, proves that the public's judgment is long-lasting and that his reality TV career is now permanently defined by his deceit.